Interesting thread, folks - thanks! I spoke with my friend a bit more about the subject of this thread and I really think it's more about upbringing than anything else. He was raised by conservative Protestant Victorian-era parents who simply didn't talk about subjects they deemed uncomfortable. Sex was a taboo subject in the home, so my friend learned, I think, to direct his mind elsewhere.

My parents were Jews, New Yorkers, and few subjects were taboo in my home. Very verbal people, not many thoughts were kept to oneself, and just about everything was discussed - loudly!